‘If the Church now recognizes civil partnerships to be a just response to the needs of gay people then surely the Church now has to ask the question whether or not it can deny the blessing of God to that which is just.’

Jones added that historians a hundred years from now would be astounded that the current ‘litmus test of orthodoxy centered on whether or not one had a generous attitude to those who are gay,’ – referring to the current debate over homosexuality in the church.

However Jones stopped short of endorsing church marriages for same-sex couples.

‘I believe that there is a difference between heterosexual union and same gender intimacy and that it is appropriate to maintain that difference in the language we use,’ Jones said.

Jones had been one of a number of senior Anglicans to call for the Very Rev Jeffrey John to stand aside after he was appointed to the role of Bishop of Reading in 2003.

John was openly gay and in a long term committed but celibate relationship with the Rev Grant Holmes – also an Anglican priest – and his appointment to the role sent shockwaves through the Global Anglican Communion.

However Jones, who is due to retire next year, has since apologized to John and has revised his views of LGBT issues in the church.